Let's Talk NEW JEANS

In preparation for their second EP called 'Get Up,' fourth-generation rookies New Jeans have delivered a treat to their fans, Bunnies or Tokkis today. The five-member group has collaborated with Warner Brothers and made their own creation of each member inspired by Cartoon Network's The Powerpuff Girls. While the video, with its vibrant colors and astounding editing, was the first thing that stood out to me, I want to discuss the song and the meaning behind the lyrics.

Similar to New Jeans' previous songs that sprung flowers of nostalgia for those who grew up listening to nineties and early two-thousands music, "New Jeans" adds a sprinkle of garage pop, bubblegum pop, and new pop. The song is upbeat and cute and makes you want to call up your friends and have a sleepover. It is definitely a pick-me-up energizer that restores your decluttered work-infested mind and births a new, refreshed you whose only concern is whether or not you have reapplied your sunscreen every two hours. At least, that's how I feel.

The lyrics manifest that New Jeans are taking over the K-pop world as rookies, while at the same time, it indicates they are still young girls who want to have fun because life is like a "game." In fact, in the music video, when New Jeans appear as carbon copies of The Powerpuff Girls, the girls are flying over skyscrapers, jumping over things, and reaching new levels as one does in a game, ultimately in hopes of saving Tok-ki (Bunnies) who seemed to be in danger by their lightstick, Binky Bong.

This rush of adrenaline that shoots through your veins can describe the energetic youth adolescents have when they're young and full of life. Not to mention, the exhilaration you get when you're playing a video game and want to beat your previous high score also is an example of this high energy associated with youth, especially since most born people during and after the nineties grew up playing these games on their handheld devices or on their television. The Powerpuff Girls and New Jeans' utilization of them is a tribute to what most Gen Z was raised with, so seeing that now is a throwback to their childhood.

Moving forward to the visuals of the music video, as always, New Jeans and the creators behind their music videos continue to impress me. Going into this video, I had high expectations, and I am glad to say that my expectations were beyond met. The standard for their content is always set high, in my opinion, and this is not me speaking as a fan, but it is more so me speaking as an outsider who sees the potential that New Jeans has.

The video starts off with New Jeans discussing what superpower they want each of their character to have in the video game. One second we're in the real world, and then next, we as an audience are transported to The Powerpuff Girls universe or the video game world where they need to save a Tok-ki. When the girls do end up saving a Tok-ki before their bedtime, the video shows glimpses of the creative process of what went into making the animations.

Seeing this unedited part of the music video made it seem playful and without boundaries. The consistent references to their past songs and the inclusion of their messages on their app, Phoning, immerses the audience into their world. It takes you back to a time when you would text your friends about the latest news on pop culture or send photos of what you were going to wear to school dances.

All in all, "New Jeans" is an uplifting song not just for Bunnies/Tokkis, but also anyone who listens to this song. New Jeans are changing the game with their talent and how they interact with their fans through their app. Their music is always fresh and addicting and something everybody wants to hear. If there is one thing I know for sure, it is that their new EP will be on repeat this summer.

This is Mi World signing off.